Dubai’s hospitals and diagnostic centres rely on skilled medical-imaging professionals, and demand for international radiographers and imaging technologists remains strong. But before you can work in a Dubai imaging department, one step comes first: a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

This guide walks you through the DHA radiographer licensing process step by step for 2026 – what it involves, how long it takes, and how to avoid the delays that catch most applicants out.

In short: to work as a radiographer in Dubai you need a DHA license. That means creating your profile on the DHA’s Sheryan portal (its online licensing system), completing DataFlow primary source verification (typically around 4-8 weeks), passing the Prometric medical-imaging exam (unless you qualify for an exemption), and activating the license once a Dubai employer sponsors you.

Why a DHA Radiographer License Matters in 2026

The DHA licenses every healthcare professional working in Dubai, and medical imaging is no exception. Practising – or being offered a role – without a valid DHA license is not permitted, so your license is the gateway to every imaging opportunity in the emirate. Radiographers who arrive already license-ready move into roles far faster. If you are weighing Dubai against the other emirates, our guide to DHA, DHCC and MOHAP licensing shows how they differ.

Who Needs a DHA Radiographer License?

A DHA license is mandatory across the public and private sector for medical-imaging professionals, including:

• Radiographers / X-ray technologists
• CT and MRI technologists
• Ultrasound / sonographers and mammographers
• Nuclear medicine and interventional imaging technologists

Each modality has its own category, so confirm which applies to you before you apply.

Step-by-Step DHA Radiographer Licensing Process (2026)

Step 1 – Check your qualifications and experience

DHA generally recognises a diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree in radiography, radiology technology or medical/diagnostic imaging from an accredited institution, together with a minimum period of post-qualification experience in a related role. Confirm the exact requirement for your modality before you start.

Step 2 – Create your profile on Sheryan

Sheryan is the Dubai Health Authority’s official online licensing system – the government e-services portal at services.dha.gov.ae/sheryan where the entire DHA licensing process is handled online. You create an account, select your profession and category, and submit your application through Sheryan from anywhere in the world.

Step 3 – Complete DataFlow primary source verification

Your qualifications, licenses and experience must be verified at source by DataFlow before DHA eligibility is issued. This typically takes around 4-8 weeks and can run alongside your other steps. Accuracy is everything here – our complete DataFlow verification guide shows how to pass first time.

Step 4 – Prepare your documents

You’ll typically need your attested degree/diploma and transcripts, experience certificates, passport, professional photos and a valid Good Standing Certificate from your home regulator. Every detail must match across documents.

Step 5 – Sit the Prometric medical-imaging exam (or qualify for exemption)

Most radiographers sit a computer-based Prometric exam for their modality, delivered at Prometric centres worldwide – so you don’t need to travel to Dubai to take it. See our guide to how DHA exams work and how to prepare. Professionals licensed in certain recognised countries may be exempt (see below).

Step 6 – Job offer, sponsorship and license activation

DHA registration confirms your eligibility; the license activates once a Dubai employer sponsors you – so it pays to line up the role and the license together. Allied-health colleagues can also see our DHA physiotherapist licensing guide for a related pathway.

Do You Need to Sit the DHA Radiographer Exam?

If you already hold an active license from a recognised country – for example the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or a number of European states – you may qualify for an exemption from the Prometric exam, subject to the DHA’s criteria and your profession’s Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). Exemption applies to the exam only; DataFlow, credentialing and experience requirements still apply. Always confirm against the current PQR on Sheryan before assuming you’re exempt.

Expected Timelines

Common Causes of Delays (and How to Avoid Them)

• Incomplete or inconsistent DataFlow documents – the number-one delay. Check names, dates and issuing bodies match exactly.
• Wrong modality/category on Sheryan – this changes your requirements and exam.
• Expired Good Standing Certificate – request it close to submission.
• Underestimating exam prep – treat the Prometric exam as a real clinical assessment.

Documents Checklist for Your DHA Radiographer Application

Gather these before you start on Sheryan – imaging categories are modality-specific, so accuracy here really matters:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DataFlow mandatory for a DHA radiographer license?

Yes. DHA requires primary source verification of your credentials through DataFlow before issuing eligibility.

Can I take the exam and DataFlow at the same time?

Generally yes – the steps can run in parallel, which is the fastest route.

Do UK, US or EU radiographers still need the exam?

Not always – professionals from recognised countries may qualify for an exemption, subject to DHA criteria. You must still complete DataFlow and meet all other requirements.

Does each imaging modality have its own license?

Categories are modality-specific (for example CT, MRI, ultrasound), so make sure you apply under the right one.

Do I need a separate license for each imaging modality?

Categories are modality-specific, so if you work across, say, both general radiography and CT, confirm with Sheryan whether you need to register each one separately or whether your qualification covers both.

Can I transfer a DHA radiographer license from another emirate?

Licenses issued by DOH (Abu Dhabi) or MOHAP are not automatically valid in Dubai. You’ll typically need a DHA-specific application, though some steps like DataFlow verification may already be complete and reusable.

How is the DHA radiographer exam different from the general Prometric format?

The format (computer-based, multiple choice) is the same as other DHA exams, but the content is entirely specific to medical imaging and your modality. General clinical knowledge outside imaging is not typically tested, so focus your preparation accordingly.